sugar tongs

American  

noun

(usually used with a plural verb)

1. small tongs used for serving cubed sugar.

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Etymology

Origin of sugar tongs

First recorded in 1700–10

Example Sentences

Wednesday’s Miss Manners column incorrectly stated that if a crouton falls down the dress of the lady seated next to you, etiquette dictates removing it with the sugar tongs.

From Washington Post • Dec. 9, 2021

His fastidious diction is unmistakable: he picks up words as if with sugar tongs – as if each syllable needed personal attention.

From The Guardian • Mar. 17, 2013

So he became one of the nation's pioneer discounters, advertising in the Virginia Gazette "for sale, very cheap, for ready money," silver teaspoons, sugar tongs and shoe buckles, gold and silver buttons.

From Time Magazine Archive

Julius Gregory took time off from designing country homes to hammer out a pair of silver sugar tongs.

From Time Magazine Archive

Renzo stuffed the two wads of bills into his jacket and dropped the sugar tongs into his pants pocket.

From "The Thief Lord" by Cornelia Funke